Feeling stuck in your career or life? You're not alone. This week on A Mental Health Break, we welcome award-winning coach and bestselling author Helen Hanison to guide us through the process of purposeful career redesign.

Helen’s new book, Unstuck, quickly became an Amazon bestseller, offering a roadmap to overcoming obstacles and creating a fulfilling, values-aligned career. Featured in Forbes, Thrive Global, and The London Economic, she specializes in helping mid-career and C-suite professionals realign their work with their true purpose.

In this episode, we discuss:
✨ How to purposefully redesign your career and break free from stagnation
✨ The hidden power of perseverance and why it’s rarely talked about
✨ Using nostalgia and personal narratives to shape your next chapter

If you're ready to make a meaningful shift, this episode is for you. Tune in for expert insights and practical steps toward a career and life you love.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? A Conversation with Dr. Robert C. Smith 🏥🧠

In this episode of A Mental Health Break, we sit down with Dr. Robert C. Smith, a nationally recognized leader in evidence-based mental health care and patient-centered medicine. As a University Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Michigan State University, Dr. Smith has transformed the way doctors communicate with patients, pioneering a method that strengthens doctor-patient partnerships.

With over 150 published papers and numerous awards, including Master recognition from the American College of Physicians, Dr. Smith is on a mission to reform mental health care. He sheds light on:

🔍 Why mental health issues go misdiagnosed or untreated—and the cost to society
🩺 How medical professionals can integrate mental health into standard care
💡 The hidden consequences of separating mental and physical health
🧘 Why mindfulness and exercise should be part of medical treatment
⚡ Practical steps to fix our broken approach to mental health care

Mental health affects 1 in 4 Americans each year—yet nearly 75% go untreated. Dr. Smith isn't just diagnosing the problem—he’s offering real solutions.

🎧 Tune in now—available on all major podcast platforms!

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

My life has been quite an adventure—spending 8 years in Namibia doing human rights work during the UN-led Resolution 435 peace process; being detained by guerrillas in the south of Angola during a river trip on the Kavango River; working with and representing San living in the Kalahari Desert. These experiences, and others, have deeply shaped my approach to life.

I’m John Ford, originally from South Africa where I studied law at the University of Cape Town. I began my career practicing law in Namibia before moving to the USA, where I transitioned into conflict resolution and workplace mediation, building a successful practice over the past 30 years.

In my work, I’ve discovered that effective conflict resolution hinges on two key conversations: addressing feelings to acknowledge and heal past pain and identifying needs to foster a collaborative future. This insight has inspired the suite of tools I’ve developed, including The Empathy Set of feelings and needs flashcards, a comprehensive dictionary, a versatile app, and talking sticks—all designed to simplify and enhance interpersonal communication.

• The Empathy Set, in particular, has transformed my work as a mediator and coach. It aids clients in safely naming and prioritizing their feelings and needs without escalating conflicts.

🔔 Subscribe for more mental health conversations, tips, and insights

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

Join us for a deeply moving and incredibly powerful conversation on this week's episode. We sit down with James Hatfield, who bravely shares his experience navigating the profound loss of close friends.

He opens up about the waves of sadness that washed over him, the unique challenges of growing up alongside a friend with cystic fibrosis who tragically passed away at just 19, and the difficult journey of processing such a significant loss.

This isn't just an episode about grief, though. James' story is a testament to the importance of talking about our feelings, even the difficult ones. He emphasizes the crucial need for open communication and the healing power of vulnerability.

He shares how allowing himself to be vulnerable helped him process his grief and find strength in sharing his experience. This episode is a reminder that you're not alone in your struggles and that opening up can be the first step towards healing.

Tune in for a raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful conversation about love, loss, and the power of human connection. This is a mental health break you won't want to miss.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

Overwhelmed by anxiety? Join us on A Mental Health Break as we welcome back wellness leader Ashton August, author of 101 Mindfulness Practices to Ease Anxiety. Ashton shares a powerful practice from her new book, discusses her writing journey, and offers practical mindfulness techniques for breathwork, mindful movement, and nervous system regulation. Learn tangible tools to find calm amidst the chaos.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Insights from 101 Mindfulness Practices to Ease Anxiety
• A practical mindfulness exercise for immediate relief.
• Mindfulness and mental health: Integrating practices into daily life.
• Tips for breathwork, yoga/mindful movement, and nervous system regulation.
• Ashton's wellness journey and lessons learned.

About Ashton August:

Ashton August is an author, yoga/meditation instructor, and wellness leader. She's the force behind YouAligned.com and the YouAligned Classes app, and author of A Year of Self-Motivation for Women, Learn. Grow. Shift., and 101 Mindfulness Practices to Ease Anxiety.

Follow her journey on our show with her first episode:

• #235: Removing Anxiety as a Yogi with Ashton August
• Click here to enjoy the show.

🔔 Subscribe for more mental health conversations, tips, and insights
💬 Comment below with your takeaways and experiences

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

David Steele joins us to share his powerful journey of overcoming adversity and achieving self-actualization. David opens up about the mental health challenges he faced growing up, including the anxieties stemming from financial struggles. He emphasizes the profound impact of feeling loved and valued, and how this foundation is crucial for mental well-being.

He also discusses the importance of regularly conducting a "relationship audit", where you take stock of the connections in your life and ensure they are contributing positively to your mental and emotional health.

David shares a pivotal moment in his late 20s, a "flashpoint" that dramatically shifted his perspective and set him on a path of intentional growth. He stresses the importance of setting authentic goals, those that resonate with your true self rather than being dictated by societal pressures.

As we learned on That Entrepreneur Show, David is the founder and CEO of One Wealth Advisors. His commitment to helping clients simplify their lives and achieve their financial goals is deeply rooted in his own experiences of overcoming financial hardship. Beyond finance, he is a passionate creator with ventures spanning hospitality, the arts, and consumer products, reflecting his belief in living a full and multifaceted life.

He also touches on:

• Mental health tolls running a business
• Different meditative states

🔔 Subscribe for more mental health tips and insights!
💬 Comment below with your takeaways and experiences!

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

Alex Abraham is a passionate advocate for healing from childhood sexual abuse. After years of struggling with the emotional and physical scars of trauma, he discovered the transformative power of psychedelic-assisted therapy. His journey, chronicled in his new book, "Trauma and Ecstasy: How Psychedelics Made My Life Worth Living," offers a deeply personal and insightful exploration of healing through non-traditional methods.

Alex lives in Austin, Texas, where he continues to educate others about the potential of psychedelic therapies for trauma recovery. He founded Psychedelic Pathways to support individuals on their own healing journeys and also touches on today:

He explores his book, Trauma and Ecstacy, on Writing with Authors here!
Don't miss the recording after this show to learn more about our guest.

Guest Insights:

• Alex's personal experience with childhood sexual abuse and his subsequent healing journey through psychedelic therapy provide a powerful and unique perspective.
• Self-exploration to find out what's going on: Things got worse before they got better
• He offers valuable insights into the challenges of healing from trauma and the limitations of traditional treatment approaches.
• His story emphasizes the importance of open dialogue and exploring alternative healing modalities.
• A Message of Hope: Offering guidance and encouragement to others struggling with trauma and considering alternative healing paths.

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988

Buckle up for an honest conversation about mental health 🧠🎙️ Panel #2 is here! We touch on a lot, including these areas with Renzo Del Castillo and Steven Twohig:

• Overcoming childhood trauma
• Being wrong means you learned something
• Miscommunication -> Improving communication
• Feeling Safe and Letting Go
• Recognizing Triggers

Renzo Del Castillo, Author of Still, a natural collaborator, mentor, and visionary leader who excels at inspiring others to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Steven Twohig, Author of Turning Within, Facilitator, Guide | 25 years of experience in the trenches of profound transformation and implementation.

This episode is perfect for you if:

• You've ever felt burnt out or overwhelmed.
• You're curious about the science behind mental health breaks.
• You're looking for actionable strategies to prioritize your well-being.

Don't miss this insightful conversation!

Enjoy their Debuts:

• Renzo's First Episode, When Life Does the Unexpected, Keep Going with Renzo Del Castillo
• Steven's First Episode, Childhood Trauma -> Shadow Work & Psychedelic Integration

Support the show

Have a question for the host or guest? Want their freebee? Are you looking to become a guest or show partner? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com.

This show is brought to you by the Empathy Set and Coming Alive Podcast Production.

CRISIS LINE: DIAL 988